As a birth photographer and doula, I hear this phrase often:
“The cord was around the baby’s neck.”

It’s usually said in a way that implies fear or emergency, but here’s the truth:
Nuchal cords are incredibly common, and in most cases, they’re not dangerous at all.

What Is a Nuchal Cord?

A nuchal cord occurs when the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck in the womb or during birth.

This sounds intense, but it’s actually a normal variation in birth. Studies show that about 20–30% of babies (that’s 1 in 3) are born with a nuchal cord. In fact, it’s considered a common part of birth physiology…not an emergency.

Is It Dangerous?

In most cases, no.

A loose nuchal cord doesn’t typically restrict oxygen or blood flow to the baby. The umbilical cord is protected by a thick, jelly-like substance called Wharton’s jelly, which cushions and prevents compression. Plus, the cord is designed to be long and flexible to move with the baby!

Care providers are trained to gently unwrap the cord or somersault the baby through it during birth. It’s often handled quickly and calmly, with no impact on the baby’s health.

 I have even seen the parents unwrap the cord themselves and then bring baby to their chest. Some babies have their cord wrapped 1 or even 2 times around their neck…I even see some babies with their cord wrapped like a seat belt across their body too.

When Can a Nuchal Cord Be a Concern?

There are rare cases where a nuchal cord may be tight or wrapped multiple times, which could cause compression or changes in the baby’s heart rate during labor. In those cases, your provider will monitor closely and adjust care as needed. Sometimes that might mean changing positions, offering oxygen, or in some cases, recommending interventions like a cesarean birth.

But it’s important to remember that the presence of a nuchal cord alone is not a reason for panic or immediate intervention.

Why Do We Fear It So Much?

It’s easy to assume that something wrapped around a neck must be dangerous, especially when we hear it spoken about in dramatic terms. Many people hear “the cord was around the neck” after birth and assume that’s why a complication happened (or almost happened). But the reality is, most of the time the baby is just twisted in their cord and it does not cause harm.

When we don’t understand how common and manageable nuchal cords are, it’s easy for fear to fill in the gaps.

What I Want You to Know

I’ve been present at so many births where a nuchal cord was present and everything went beautifully. The baby was born, the cord was unwrapped, and parents held their child with no idea the cord had been there at all. Sometimes parents don’t even realize until they see their birth gallery.

As a doula, I want you to feel informed, not afraid.

Birth can feel less overwhelming when we understand what’s normal and nuchal cords are one of those very normal, very manageable things that can show up in birth.

Trust Your Body. Trust Birth. Ask Questions.

If you’re pregnant and want to talk more about what to expect, what’s normal, and how to feel prepared, I’d love to support you (whether through doula care or birth photography)

You can reach out to me here, or follow along on Instagram for more birth education and real-life stories.

You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. 💛